Ivory trade and protection of the elephants

Protecting living elephants in Africa or in Asia is mandatory. To ensure and protect our patrimony is not contradictory.

Ever since the Antiquity, useful or ornamenting ivory objects have been realised by artists and craftsmen.

Since the end of the seventeenth century, the skills of French fan-makers have been globally appreciated and renowned. Art objects or fashion accessories, fans belong to the great history of French art craftsmanship.

The majority of wisps from the sixteenth century to nineteenth century are made, in part or totally, out of ivory.   

The presentation text of our sale that was released in July offered you an outlook of the utmost quality of the ivory fans that were up for sale. Their historical scarcity, as much as their refined carving, justify the interest that some museums, amateurs, curious or private collectors have regarding those items. None of these ivory fans will figure in this vacation.

Seizing the opportunity given by this sale, Coutau-Bégarie Auction House and myself, will obey the new regulation forbidding the ivory trade in France. These fans will thus be presented in an upcoming auction.

Waiting for the obtaining of derogations regarding the forbidding of the trade of ivory objects created before July 1st 1975, we thank you for your support.